How to play GTA 5 mobile

A number of gamers, quite rightly, wonder why Rockstar Games hasn’t released an official GTA 5 mobile version. That isn’t to say it is impossible to play GTA 5 on mobile, because there are numerous workarounds that gamers can use to get the game working on Android and iOS devices.

Official GTA 5 mobile port

There is no official GTA 5 mobile game available for Android or iOS.

An official port should be possible given that phones have come an incredibly long way since the game’s original release in 2013. Most modern smartphones possess the hardware required to run GTA 5 on mobile, and there are a ton of high profile games that have official mobile ports.

However, a possible mobile version could be limited by the storage space needs of the GTA 5 system requirements, which require nearly 100GB of storage space. 100GB of space is easily a quarter or even half the total storage capacity of most standard phones, so some optimization would be in order should Rockstar ever decide to port the game officially to Android or Apple phones.

How to play GTA 5 mobile via Nvidia GeForce NOW

With a free membership plan, you can sign up to Nvidia GeForce NOW to gain access to a cloud gaming rig. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll be able to stream every game you own on Steam and other digital game stores to your mobile devices. So, as long as you already own GTA 5, you’ll be able to stream it via Nvidia GeForce NOW onto any mobile device or desktop.

Of course, if you are going to play GTA 5 on mobile, you might want to get a controller to connect to your phone. The touchscreen controls can be a bit fiddly from time to time, so a handheld controller will massively improve your gaming experience. 

Just remember that a free Nvidia GeForce NOW membership only allows you to play GTA 5 on mobile for one hour at a time. In order to unlock more gaming hours, you’ll need to pay for a premium GeForce NOW membership, which will also net you better gameplay performance.

How to play GTA 5 mobile using Steam Link

While admittedly not as versatile as the GeForce NOW option, you can stream GTA 5 to your mobile via Steam Link. Steam Link provides a live stream between your phone and your desktop computer, allowing you to control the game remotely with your mobile’s touchscreen controls, or with a Steam controller. 

To get Steam Link up and running for GTA 5, simply:

• Download the Steam Link application from the Google Play Store or the App Store.
• Open the Steam Link app on your phone, and login to Steam on your PC.
• On your PC, open the “Steam” tab and click on “Settings.”
• Open the “Remote Play” tab and check the “Enable Remote Play” option.
• Next, click on the “Pair Steam Link” button below the list of devices.
• If the Steam Link app on your phone detects the invite, you will get a four-digit PIN. If you don’t get a number after thirty seconds, try closing Steam and trying again. 
• Once you have the PIN, enter it onto Steam on your PC and click “Authorize Device” then “Ok.”
• If successful, your phone’s name should appear in the device list on your PC Steam window.
• Your Steam Link app will then test the network connection. If the connection is too weak, you will not be able to stream GTA 5.
• If your connection is good, you can press the “Start Playing” button to access your Steam library.
• Finally, launch GTA 5 on mobile.

If you’re curious about playing GTA 5 on PC (seeing as an official mobile version isn’t available), check to see if you can run the GTA 5 PC requirements.